Banded rock lizard


The banded rock lizard is a species of lizard in the family Phrynosomatidae. The species is native to western North America.

Etymology

The specific name, mearnsi, is in honor of American naturalist Edgar Alexander Mearns, who collected the first specimens.

Geographic range

P. mearnsi is endemic to extreme southern California and Baja California, Mexico. It also occurs on Isla El Muerto.

Description

P. mearnsi is an extremely flat-bodied lizard. Its dorsum is olive, brown or gray, with white or bluish spots. It has a single black collar, a banded tail, and granular scales on its body, with keeled tail and limb scales. Individuals may be long snout-to-vent. Males have more pronounced throat patterns and brighter blue coloring than females.

Habitat

P. mearnsi is associated with boulder hillsides, extending in Baja California to chaparral and pinyon-juniper woodlands.

Diet

P. mearnsi is omnivorous, feeding not only on insects and spiders, but also on buds and flowers.

Reproduction

Gravid females of P. mearnsi lay eggs from June through August. Clutch size varies from 2 to 6 eggs.